Over the last 2 weeks or so today (as of Jan 28th 2016), I have been considering replacing my Yaesu Fusion DR-1X repeater w/ a Motorola MotoTRBO DMR Repeater. During the course of this exploration, I was considering MTR3000 and SLR5700. MTR3000 is a 100W and SLR5700 is a 50W – both continuous duty cycle repeaters. I was speaking w/ a few HAMs who have experience in DMR repeaters, few have owned these and have installed and setup these for their clubs or their own sites. My QTH is not on a hill top (relatively speaking), therefore, I was hearing that a 100W repeater might not be such a usable investment. Also, considering this will be all digital, a 50W out was suggested to be a good approach.

I then spoke w/ W2XAB – John Burningham to discuss a few more Q&A; following this, I went and ordered a new SLR5700 from K1DMR – Ken Bryant. Additionally, I had also ordered an open box, XPR4550 base radio for my shack.

As of this late evening, Friday Jan 29th 2016, the DMR repeater is on the air; the Fusion repeater DR-1X is taken out consequently. I will be putting the Fusion back up on the air once I get my 2nd UHF coordination or my 1st VHF coordination – but, more importantly, after Yaesu determines a good plan to their firmware situation.

This page attempts to detail this project as I move this further along. You will find pictures and a series of videos.

73s, N0AGI

DMR Links:

Learning DMR from Amateur Radio standpoint

A good place to start learning about DMR from an Amateur Radio standpoint. Follow this guide by W2XAB

W2XAB also did a short presentation at the last year’s HAMVENTION – video on YouTube

So, most of us DMR enthusiasts are aware that quality rig can get pricey. And, yes, we’ also know that if one’s looking for a “starter kit”, one can get into it w/ a decent price. But, we also know, quality we get what we pay for; I have soon realized after double spending, to invest in quality rig.

After much exploring and talking to several folks, I started looking for Motorola DMR rig at decent price point. That is DMR at amateur radio price point.

I had pinged Ken Bryant (K1DMR)., he’s a HAM to start and a Motorola dealer next; He gave me (and others) some good deals on Motorola equipment. Please feel free to ping him at his site here. You can reach him at :

706 896 0000 . email@kenbryant.net

disclaimer : I don’t have any personal interest in his business 🙂 I am only sharing this because, I think he’s a good honest guy and wants to help us hams get a good deal on Motorola gear